Understanding database design essentials
In this section, we will delve into the fundamental principles of database design that are essential for every data engineer. Database design is the process of creating a detailed model of a database. This defines how the data is stored, organized, and manipulated. A well-designed database will be dependent on how the data engineer makes decisions regarding correct data types, constraints, schema design, and entity-relational (ER) modeling. This will ensure the data integrity, performance, and reliability of the database.
We will begin by discussing database normalization and the different types:
- Data normalization: A procedure that eliminates data duplication and guarantees data integrity. Normalization normally occurs in application databases as opposed to data warehouses. We use normal forms to guide the normalization process. The most common forms include the following:
- First Normal Form (1NF): Ensures atomicity by organizing data...
